Penners
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- Suffolk, England
Did anyone else watch the TV documentary about the Great Wall of China, last night?
It was very interesting to learn a lot more about this historic edifice, not least an explanation as to why it has lasted in such a good condition for so many centuries.
Apparently this is mainly down to two factors: very hard, high-fired bricks and a specially effective mortar. The Chinese have carried out laboratory tests on the lime mortar to discover its formula, and it seems that the secret ingredient is... rice! The mortar was made with an inclusion of 3% sticky rice!
So there you have it. Next time you're knocking up a batch of lime mortar, don't forget to pop down to your local Chinese Takeaway for a Number 46* and boiled rice. Eat the Number 46 and pop the rice into your mortar mix.
*Stewed King Prawns and Straw Mushrooms - yum!
It was very interesting to learn a lot more about this historic edifice, not least an explanation as to why it has lasted in such a good condition for so many centuries.
Apparently this is mainly down to two factors: very hard, high-fired bricks and a specially effective mortar. The Chinese have carried out laboratory tests on the lime mortar to discover its formula, and it seems that the secret ingredient is... rice! The mortar was made with an inclusion of 3% sticky rice!
So there you have it. Next time you're knocking up a batch of lime mortar, don't forget to pop down to your local Chinese Takeaway for a Number 46* and boiled rice. Eat the Number 46 and pop the rice into your mortar mix.
*Stewed King Prawns and Straw Mushrooms - yum!
